Luxury vehicle manufacturer Bentley has announced it is to unveil its much-awaited new GT Speed Convertible at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

It will offer "shattering" performance and ultimate style and comfort for those who are lucky enough to purchase the model in the coming years.

Set to become the fastest four-seat convertible in the world with its party piece top speed of 202 mph, the GT Speed Convertible will be unveiled on January 14th and with its uprated 625 PS – 616 bhp – 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine delivering some major grunt under the hood, the vehicle could already be one of the cars of the year – and it's only January.

Bentley chairman and chief executive Dr Wolfgang Schreiber said: "Following the recent successful introduction of the GT Speed, the new GT Speed Convertible will appeal to drivers who seek the sensory thrills of the world's fastest four-seat soft-top and the practicality of a year-round grand tourer, together with unrivalled levels of luxury and refinement.

"It is designed for those who accept no compromise."

Moreover, it also has been designed with an element of frugality in mind for owners, with the GT Speed Convertible benefiting from a 15 per cent improvement in driving range, fuel economy and emissions in comparison to the standard GT Speed.

The luxury vehicle marque also recently gave the viewing public their first glimpse of the much-anticipated Continental GT3 concept, with the vehicle taking centre stage at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.

It ran from November 30th to December 9th and saw the vehicle wow the crowds with both its looks and impressive statistics.

Capable of accelerating from zero to 62 mph in just four seconds and with a top speed of 205 mph, the GT3 concept featured a number of improvements over the Speed, including improving high-speed stability and specific tailoring for racing.